A new report from Vision Lifesciences shows that China has become a global powerhouse for licensing innovative medicines, especially the hot‑ticket antibody‑drug conjugates (ADCs) used in cancer therapy. Chinese firms now account for almost 90 % of all ADC out‑licensing deals worldwide. Since the start of 2024, Chinese biotech companies have closed nearly 40 licensing transactions, and the average deal size has jumped to $1.3 billion – a 76 % rise over last year and six times the 2021 average. Up‑front payments have also surged, averaging $77.7 million, double the 2025 figure. marquee agreements illustrate the trend: Innovent Biologics struck a strategic partnership with Eli Lilly worth $8.85 billion (including a $350 million upfront cash), Madrigal Pharmaceuticals signed a $4.4 billion deal with Suzhou Ribo Bio, and AstraZeneca announced a potential $18.5 billion collaboration with CSPC Pharmaceutical to tap its long‑acting peptide platform for next‑generation weight‑loss drugs. Analysts at Macquarie Capital say multinational firms are eyeing China’s chemistry expertise as a cost‑effective way to replenish pipelines and dodge looming patent cliffs. While the U.S. still leads in biology, China’s ability to deliver promising molecules at lower R & D costs is reshaping the global drug‑development landscape.
Read morePudong is fast becoming a world‑class hub for biomedical innovation. Blue Vein Medical, a subsidiary of Xinmai, now offers six peripheral‑vein products—including stents, balloons, filters and a radio‑frequency system—two of which are national first‑in‑class devices, creating a full‑stack solution for vein treatments. The district’s momentum is underscored by nine Class III innovative medical devices cleared this year, among them the world’s first invasive brain‑computer‑interface system. In the drug arena, AI‑driven pioneer XtalPi has teamed up with Shunpu (CK Life Sciences) to showcase pre‑clinical success on an AI‑designed cancer‑vaccine targeting the notoriously “undruggable” p53 protein. Their PepiX™ platform blends the penetration of small molecules with the precision of biologics, promising a new wave of peptide‑based medicines. A highlight for patients is the newly approved Fishhawk®/Osprey® disposable thrombectomy device, which removes large clots from deep veins quickly and without the need for external power—offering a safer, more portable option for treating deep‑vein thrombosis. Meanwhile, GSK’s Mirikizumab‑based regimen for relapsed multiple myeloma has received fast‑track approval, expanding life‑saving choices for cancer sufferers. Together, these breakthroughs illustrate Pudong’s shift from “China first” to “global synchronization,” positioning the region as a leading destination for cutting‑edge medical devices, AI‑powered drug discovery, and next‑generation therapies.
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